Popular Award winning Rapper Sentenced to 14 Years for Illegal Campaign Donations
Popular Award winning Rapper Sentenced to 14 Years for Illegal Campaign Donations
Grammy-winning Fugees rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for illegally channeling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. Michel, 52, did not address the court before U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly handed down the sentence.
In April 2023, a federal jury convicted Michel on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. The trial, held in Washington, D.C., featured testimony from actor Leonardo DiCaprio and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Prosecutors argued the federal sentencing guidelines would have allowed a life sentence, accusing Michel of betraying his country for financial gain and lying “unapologetically and unrelentingly” to execute his scheme. They stated, “His sentence should reflect the breadth and depth of his crimes, his indifference to the risks to his country, and the magnitude of his greed.”
Michel’s defense attorney, Peter Zeidenberg, criticized the 14-year sentence as “completely disproportionate” and said they plan to appeal. Zeidenberg had recommended three years, calling a life sentence “absurdly high” and noting such penalties are typically reserved for d+adly t+rrorists or dr¥g cartel leaders.
Michel, a Brooklyn native of Haitian descent, co-founded the Fugees with Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. The group sold tens of millions of albums and won two Grammy Awards. Prosecutors said Michel received over $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho (Jho Low) and funneled portions through straw donors to Obama’s campaign. He also attempted to obstruct the Justice Department investigation into Low, tampered with witnesses, and committed perjury at trial.
Michel’s attorneys argued Low’s contributions were intended only to obtain a photo with Obama, not to influence policy. In August 2024, a request for a new trial based partly on the defense’s use of generative AI during closing arguments was denied, with the court ruling no serious miscarriage of justice occurred.
